Iron Creek Campground - Randle, WA

We had the chance to stay at Iron Creek campground about 12 miles south of Randle, WA this last weekend (7/29/2011). Very nice National Forest Service campground set in some very impressive old growth Douglas Fir timber. The tree outside our rig had to be 5-6' in diameter and well over a hundred feet tall. Plenty of trails for the kids to walk and explore. The absolute highlight of the trip was the drive to Windy Ridge Viewpoint overlooking the north side of Mt St Helens. Man, what a sight! Recommend this as a stop to anyone passing through the area. If Mt St Helens is a must see from here plan it late in the summer as the road to the viewpoint just opened the week we got there from the heavy snowpack.

Only thing that was lacking, as is the case in most NFS Camgrounds, was a dump station and a shower. Wouldn't be able to stay here too long. Glad we went though, very nice!

Wow, great photos and report. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us. I love the rays of sunlight in the first photo, and the mountain view has me

Thats our kind of camping! Beautiful.

We were there in '98. That vacation still ranks as number 1 for me.

Mt. St. Helens was beautiful and a little erie at the same time then. It looks simply beautiful in your pic.

Very inviting camp sitel Mt St Helens is awesome in the background.

Wasn't Windy Ridge the observation point where one of the geologists lost their life during the eruption?

TC

Awesome pictures! Thanks.

TC - Could have been. It was the headquarters for a bunch of scientists but the Ranger never did mention how many or who lost their lives there. Some of the most famous eruption photos taken by Gary Rosenquist were shot from Bear Meadows which you pass on the way to Windy Point (see link below). Those guys got out alive, but not by much, can't imagine anyone from Windy Point would have had time to get out safely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv-LxFeQwPI

Looks nice and cool. Great pics and thanks for sharing.

Looks great. Hope to be there some day. Thanks for sharing.

Very nice, thanks for sharing.